by Marlon Bernardino
JOHN JERISH VELARDE took the bronze medal in the Asian Youth Chess Championships Rapid event was held at the Lotus Pang Suan Kaew Hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand on Sunday.
The pride of Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu Velarde collected six points in seven outings in the Open 12 years old and below.
CM Gukesh D of India won the gold with perfect seven points while CM Nguyen Quoc Hy of Vietnam took the silver with a higher tie break points against fellow six pointers Velarde.
Mark Jay Bacojo of Dasmariñas, Cavite tallied 5 points and settled for 6th place overall in the the Open 12 years old and below category.
Velarde scored victories over Sulaimanov Tilekmatali of Kyrgyzstan in the first round but was yielded to Daneshvar Bardiya of Iran in the second round. Velarde bounced back in contention after beating Hewage Dinupa Adithya of Sri Lanka in the third round, Yu Zili of China in the fourth round, Wu David Tai-Wei of Chinese-Taipei in the fifth round, CM Arfan Aditya Bagus of Indonesia in the sixth round and Lee Care Greene of Malaysia in the seventh and final round.
Daniel Quizon of Dasmariñas, Cavite talled 5 pts for 4th place in the Open 18 and Under while Fide Master John Marvin Miciano of Davao City scored 4.5 pts for 8th place.
Gal Brien Palasique of Taytay, Rizal scored 4 pts for 14th place while Michael Concio Jr. scored 3 pts for 22nd place in the Boys 16 and Under.
Jerome Angelo Aragones of Las Pinas City tallied 5.5 pts in the Open 14 and Under category . He settled 6th place overall.
Al-Basher "Basty" Buto of Cainta, Rizal notch 5 pts for 11th place in the Open 8 and Under.
In the distaff side, Daren dela Cruz of Dasmariñas, Cavite scored 2 pts. for 38th place in the Girls 10 and Under category while Antonella Berthe Racasa of Marikina City scored 3 pts for 30th place in the Girls 12 and Under.
Jerlyn Mae San Diego of Dasmariñas, Cavite scored 5 pts for 7th place in the Girls 14 and Under, Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian of Kalinga-Apayao scored 3.5 pts for 16th place in the Girls 16 and Underand WCM Kylen Joy Mordido of Dasmariñas, Cavite tallied 4.5 pts for 9th place in the Girls 18 and Under.
Delegation head International Master Roel Abelgas would like to thank Dasmariñas City, Cavite mayor Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga and congresswoman Jenny Barzaga, National Chess Federation of the Philippines Chairman/President Rep. Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., Rep. Secretary-General Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr., Treasurer Atty. Cliburn Anthony A. Orbe, Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez Jr. who funded their trip in Thailand chess campaign. Head coach is International Master Yves Rañola.
The standard play is schedule on Monday.-Marlon Bernardino-